Are you ready for an ultra-productive, satisfyingly challenging Virgo New Moon this week?

La Luna joins with the Sun at 27 degrees of Virgo on the 20th at 1:30 AM EDT, along with a host of other planets in Virgo: Mercury, Mars, and Venus. If you've been feeling the tug and pull of responsibilities - and have been in total "go mode" lately - you've been tuning into the celestial vibes of not only the planets currently transiting the sign of The Virgin, but also the building energies of this lunation.

It's a busy time of juggling upkeep in pertinent parts of life - putting in the effort to take our talents to the next level, staying on top of daily responsibilities, and finding the pockets of time that allow for recharge and rejuvenation.

Each new moon kicks off a new 2.5-year cycle in all things related to that sign, and to the life themes and issues it activates within our personal birth charts. If you're familiar with your chart, look to see the house that contains 27 degrees of Virgo. This is where new beginnings are about to be set in motion in your life.

​The Virgo Archetype

No other sign holds all the details of life together quite as well as Virgo. This is the part of the Zodiac where talents undergo intense scrutiny and honing; where we examine what is in need of a practical overhaul to streamline processes; where we examine what's no longer needed, toss it out, and put the relevant pieces back together so our processes can run like clockwork.

Themes of health and wellness and being of practical service to others are also strong Virgo themes. It's a wonderful time to reflect on what's been tugging at you in these parts of life, and to make a plan as to how you can align with goals such as these.​​

​With this new moon in a T-square configuration with SATURN in Sagittarius and CHIRON in Pisces, we'll be experiencing a fair amount of stress around how to reconcile seemingly incompatible facets of our personality, desires, or life circumstances. The Virgo-Pisces opposition is one of working with different kinds of focus and service. Virgo is oriented toward the practical "here and now" bits of life, while Pisces is far more dreamy, emotional, and prone to offer love or potentially imbalanced forms of help that might be expressed as unhealthy sacrifice.

​With Chiron opposite this new moon, it's a lovely chance to take action toward healing any aspects of our lives through whole-self care (bonus points if you seek the deeper emotional root to what has manifested as imbalances in the body, as this is where many healers believe that dis-ease begins). Integrating even the smallest changes in routine, whether it's adding an important nutritional supplement to your diet, deep breathing, or using essential oils to heal a health condition every day, can truly make a difference over time.

​As this opposition forms a square to Saturn, the crux of the thing lies in continuously zooming out from the minute details to grasp the bigger picture of what we're working for. What is our ultimate goal? Can we learn to balance the realms of body, mind, and spirit to live a life that flows more smoothly and efficiently? Can we toggle between the realms of self - the mental, emotional, soul plane? Between the old stories of limitations and outworn beliefs of where we once were, of healing issues that have held us back as we're able to now, and keeping one eye on the future?

An Upgrade for the Mind & Relationships

Though the ultra-ambitious Mercury-Mars conjunction in Virgo is beginning to separate, this influence is still quite strong, and we may have a more solid idea as to how we can integrate what we've learned since Mercury went retrograde on August 12.

Mercury will have just moved out of its Retrograde Shadow period for the new moon, allowing for greater clarity and forward movement, but there's a catch - Mercury and Mars stand opposite NEPTUNE in Pisces. On one hand, frustrations around health and wellness, or control over the flow of daily life and schedules, may emerge. But on the other hand, this aspect presents wonderful opportunities to balance over-attachment to analytical thinking and hard and fast plans with the need to allow a situation to take its course. Trusting our gut and the unfolding process of life as we navigate confusing terrain can teach powerful lessons in balancing intuition with logic, and allowing for greater Divine inspiration to flow through.

​Venus lends a supportive hand to the new moon. As she sits at 0 degrees of Virgo, she forms an exciting trine to URANUS Rx in Aries. This is dynamic energy for seeing where we've been stuck in money or relationship ruts - or perhaps not using our resources effectively - and plugging into a whole new paradigm for balance and success. We'll also get a big jolt toward healthy lifestyle changes, perhaps finding it within ourselves to make that change we've been struggling to make to support our wellness. It's time to break out of the norm and use the revolutionary insights of Uranus to lead the charge as it dances with a "misses no detail" energy of Venus as she travels through fastidious Virgo.​

​Explore these ideas for connecting with this new moon more fully:​

Sweep floors while visualizing stagnant energy being cleared from your space. Know that as the old is swept away, a space for new beginnings is created. This can be followed with a smoke, sound, or other energy clearing.

Choose a food that is a staple in your diet and approach it with prayerful gratitude. Take extra time before a meal or set aside ritual time to give thanks for this gift from the earth, perhaps connecting with the spirit of that food on a deeper level. Feel the oneness between you and it, allowing gratitude to fill you as you eat.​

Tidy up your workspace in a way that feels good to you. This could include not only the usual straightening and organizing, but making changes to freshen up the flow of energy in the room. Place crystals such as clear quartz on your desk to improve concentration; add hanging plants or desk plants to add life and vitality; use an essential oil diffuser with oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, citruses, pine, or juniper to boost mental clarity and memory (add frankincense or patchouli for grounding). Or drink mint tea or chew on a fresh mint spring for a quick boost!

Gather herbs associated with Virgo - parsley, mint, dill, endive, or fennel - and integrate them into healthy meals that satisfies the senses. You can also integrate these herbs into fire rituals, tossing a handful onto a fire while setting intentions. Or purchase dried herbs to make an intentional apothecary bottle that carries new moon intentions. Place on a windowsill during the new moon, allowing the moon to infuse them with her blessings.

Take a walk in nature, allowing her grounding, restorative energies to bring peace and rejuvenation.

Call on the overlighting energies of Mercury, and of the goddess asteroids Ceres and Vesta to guide you in your new beginnings. These heavenly bodies are coruling planets of Virgo (some astrologers connect the healing asteroid CHIRON to Virgo themes, too). Mercury rules the mind, communication, planning, and learning; Ceres is associated with the land and grain, physical nurturance, mother-child relationships, and themes of environmental stewardship and protection; Vesta is associated with high priestess energies of multi-level purification, sacred sexual expression, and creating a space within which healing can occur.

Light a candle, asking God/Goddess/the Universe for assistance with fulfilling your desires, or create a more elaborate ritual. Let go of aspects of your wishes you cannot control, and take action toward your goals as you feel called as the moon begins to wax in light.

​What magic are you making at this Virgo New Moon? Love, light, and blessings to you on your journey!

New Moon greetings, bright ones! The Gemini New Moon will be exact today at 5:45 PM EDT - a big time for those with Gemini Sun or Rising, of course, and a time for each of us to plant new seeds in the Gemini parts of our lives for the next 2.5 years.

This new moon centers on perceptions/paradigms, communication, study, variety in experiences, and in becoming more adept at juggling all the moving parts of life that can seem overwhelming from time to time.

​If you have your birth chart, look to see where 4 degrees of Gemini falls by house. This is the part of life in which you'll feel called to enact a new beginning; to gather more information before making decisions; to release old paradigms in favor for new viewpoints that can liberate you from limiting ways of thinking and being in the world. It's also where you'll feel the most drawn to refresh your mental palette, enjoying mentally-engaging play and novelty as you explore the endlessly fascinating bits and pieces that life has to offer.​

​For a broader horoscope overview, here's where it's ripe for planting "new beginning seeds" in your life based on your Sun and Rising Sign:

​ARIES: 3rd House of Contracts, Learning, & Local Involvements​TAURUS: 2nd House of Finances & Possessions​GEMINI: 1st House of Identity & Initiation​CANCER: 12th House of Mysteries & SecretsLEO: 11th House of Community Organizations & Future Goals​VIRGO: 10th House of Career & Public Identity​LIBRA: 9th House of Foreigners, Travel, & Higher Education​SCORPIO: 8th House of Intimacy & Shared ResourcesSAGITTARIUS: 7th House of 1-1 Relationships​CAPRICORN: 6th House of Routines, Wellness, & Vocation​AQUARIUS: 5th House of Romance & Creativity​PISCES: 4th House of Home & Private Life​

​MARS-SATURN: Up Against the Wall

Yesterday brought the exacting of a tough Mars-Saturn Rx opposition between Gemini and Sagittarius, and we're still well within its range of influence. Themes of confronting old material in our spiritual/philosophical paradigms (facts vs. faith, and better yet, learning how the two are intrinsically connected to one another) are woven into today's lunation. Expect a previously held idea or two to get the "battering ram" treatment on the conceptual level...but expect inner resistance too, even if new ideas are healthy for you to entertain. Saturn doesn't do change easily, or take it lightly for that matter. We've got a chance to rewrite outdated scripts for the better if we're willing to expand into brave new territory.

VENUS-PLUTO: Going Deep in the One-on-One

All this ties directly into relationship and money themes, as red-hot Venus in Aries forms a most provocative square to Pluto Rx in Capricorn. Talk about door-busting in relationships - whether it manifests as sorting through so-called "taboos," fears and insecurities, or how and when to set boundaries, these themes also play a huge role at present. How and when do we let someone in, and when do we close the door? Financial independence is also set to be a major factor, whether it relates to our desire to have greater abundance to generate more for ourselves or to break free from those who drain our peace and resources.

NEXT STEPS

So what do we do with all of this? First things first: do the mental sorting work, but take time out to quiet the mind. With so much Gemini energy influencing us, the tendency is to think/talk/perseverate non-stop. It's important to close the door on external stimuli and opinions and get back in touch with the body. This is a fantastic day for a nature walk or meditation to ground and clear the senses.

An important factor to keep in mind is that the Sun and Moon are forming a semi-square to Venus - an aspect that creates a sense of stagnation, of frustration with parts of life we wish were moving forward more quickly. But with alignments like this, the solution is to give it time. Things will unfold as and how they should, but we must be willing to step out of a "forcing" pattern and allow things to bloom in their own time.

As the waters settle and the silt drops to the bottom of the pond, we'll get the answers we seek. This is a perfect analogy for the energies at present, and a lesson for Gemini season - a time when minds work on overdrive and patience is harder to come by.

NEW MOON WISHES

As always, this is a wonderful time to explore your desires, taking time out from the busy-ness of the external world to get in touch with the peace at your core. Write, draw, move, sing, or play your desires out; let the awareness come; and when you're clear on intentions you'd like to set, declare it so God(dess)/Cosmos/The Great All can get to work in assisting you in the most powerful of ways.

Wait at least twenty-four hours after the new moon for taking action on a new plan (approximately 3:45 or later on Friday, May 26) for best results. As the moon grows in light over the coming weeks, so too will our motivation to act.

How will you be celebrating the new moon today? Wishing you a magical time full of peace, healing, and blessings!

Wishing you all a very happy Monday (even though it may not be the cheeriest of days astrologically)! It's a big day, as the SUN has moved into ARIES. This signals the official first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, a time when the hours of darkness and daylight are once again equal, as the days only grow brighter from here as we move toward the Summer Solstice.

​This is a powerful day to feel gratitude for what's blossoming in your life now; to give thanks for the potential for new beginnings that's always available to us; to see what new growth needs the greatest attention and nourishment from us for our next steps. We celebrate *life* in all its forms, acknowledging the resilience of creation to renew itself and rise over and over again, no matter how long or harsh the winter has been--both literally and metaphorically.

Though the day itself is the start of a new season, the 4th Quarter Moon in CAPRICORN brings a much more serious energy as the lunar energy winds down toward the ARIES NEW MOON on March 27. Quarter moons are challenging--they reveal where we need to align actions with intentions more fully, and oftentimes, that process is anything but comfortable. And Capricorn (ruled by Saturn) is a hard-lined, reality-based, and potentially pessimistic sign.

On one hand, we're yearning for a new beginning, and can see that light beginning to grow on the horizon; but on the other hand, there's something we have to square with, to move through/align with/reconcile, before we can see our desires come to fruition.

This moon phase is about learning to use an old skill in a new way; to integrate a new kind of wisdom to support our understanding of a current situation. We also see what needs to be released, or perhaps re-envisioned, as we start the journey within as the moon wanes.

If we use the power of this time to dream, reflect, give thanks, and do the work we feel called to do within and without, powerful shifts can happen. And with MERCURY squaring PLUTO and opposing JUPITER RX later in the week, that work and contemplation can be intense and rewarding, indeed. Trust that all that falls away at this time, especially as a new SUN-VENUS cycle approaches on March 25, will be for your Highest Good for experiencing fulfillment in all ways in the coming months.

​Many blessings to you on this sacred day! How will you celebrate another turning of the Wheel of the Year?

Tomorrow's VIRGO FULL MOON at 22 degrees, which is exact at 10:54 AM EDT, officially closes the door on eclipse season...and what a ride it's been! It's a bit of an intense full moon, with so many planets in Pisces, and the Mercury-Chiron conjunction more or less standing opposite a very fastidious Virgo moon. We always feel the lunar energies building in the days leading up to a full moon. If you had a particularly challenge emergence of emotions or other issues in the past few days, this--along with the Mercury/Chiron conjunction--is likely the cosmic catalyst for it.

All full moons are great times for cleansing and release, but this full moon is an especially good time for it, since Virgo is all about sorting/getting details in order, releasing what no longer serves us, and working for purification on all levels. What needs to be organized in your home or office? Want to get a head-start on your spring cleaning? How about tending to physical health with more balanced dietary choices, exercise routines, or other detox work? This full moon illuminates where restoring order, routine, and attentiveness to detail is most needed, and will help us get down to work in the most practical of ways.What is your body asking for? How can you be a vessel for the Divine to flow through your physical form, and the whole of your life, more freely?

Virgo might be "The Virgin," but in her most balanced form, she's anything but prudish. This is an earthy, sensual sign, and our cosmological virgin is more interested in making something clean and pure in its overall function than vowing herself to sexual virginity (if you know a Virgo well enough, you'll know that they are quite the physical beings when you get right down to it!).Treat yourself to a purification bath fit for a Goddess: salts or baking soda, your favorite herbs and essential oils, water-safe gems or crystals (flower petals in the tub are oh-so-lush and sensual!). Find or create a massage oil blend or lotion that you like and get in your body more fully. Healing with energy work, singing bowls/chanting, crystals, or plant medicines are very supported this weekend.

Want to take the energies of this full moon with you in a more tangible way for support as we move through the year? Consider making moon water--filling a vessel with the water of your choice, leaving it under the light of the moon. Add oils or water-safe crystals to use for anointing, or keep it safe for drinking to receive these energies internally later on.​As always, this is a great weekend for cleansing crystals or other sacred objects under the light of the moon. And if you get the urge to clean your space from the top down? Go for it! Clean your closet; mop the floor; wash the windows. They say that cleaning a closet can change your life, and Virgo would most definitely agree. This weekend is all about clearing away the old as to create a space for the new.

And a word to the wise: watch for overly critical, nitpicking behaviors (or potentially neurotic perfectionist tendencies), since this is Virgo's shadow side. And with Mercury/Chiron still active, speaking our truths with kindness, especially if we feel the need to point out a housekeeping issue to someone else, will go a long way.

Want to celebrate this full moon in a fun, playful atmosphere? Come to Bright Star's March Full Moon party on Sunday, March 12! Jam with a drum circle, spend time on the creative project (or other kind of play!) of your choice, and take part in an optional Cacao Ceremony led by Aurelia Hunter before the fun kicks off.

The Solar Eclipse at 8° Pisces is this winter’s second and final eclipse, occurring on February 26 at 10:59 AM EST. This event is classified as an annular (partial) solar eclipse, which will create a ring of light around the darkened moon. The eclipse will be visible from the southernmost parts of South America and southwest Africa.

Astrologically, we’re in for a deeply emotional time with this eclipse—one filled to the brim with power, passion, and the possibility for embodying the bravery, compassion, and trust necessary to navigate a challenging road ahead.

If you were born between February 23–27, orwith the Rising Sign/Midheaven/Nadir, planets, or the Nodes from 6°–10° of Pisces, expect a pivotal year that kicks off a new 18-year period in your life. Those with other planets/key points in the birth chart from the same degrees of any mutable sign (Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini) will be impacted as well.

​The Skinny on Eclipses—a Quick 101

Eclipses can be thought of as new and full moons on steroids—the same basic principles of those phases of the Solar-Lunar Cycle apply, but are intensified to the point that the very fabric of time itself seems to meld and shift as we experience pivotal events personally and collectively. The days before and after eclipses usually bring life-altering news to those most impacted by them, providing us with information that we may not want to face. Of course, the same goes for joyful events, or for experiences seemingly designed to awaken to truths and new realizations at an accelerated pace.

Eclipses as intense periods of “Cosmic Upgrading.” Depending on how intensely we’re impacted by them personally, the normal flow of daily events can come to a halt while we address what’s come to light.

Regardless of whether an eclipse touches a sensitive point in the personal birth chart or not, we are all provided with opportunities for tuning into new frequencies and receiving key messages/moving into powerful new periods of life during eclipses.​Solar eclipses are associated with new beginnings, perhaps as a result of events that occur around us as pieces shift in the physical world, as opposed to intense feelings and interpersonal themes that emerge during lunar eclipses. It is often said that lunar eclipses present the greatest difficulties to face and address. However, February’s solar eclipse is set to be the more challenging eclipse this winter: grief, feelings of helplessness, and loss meet anger, uprising, and ultimately, the capacity to take courageous action to shift out of detrimental patterns into a more blissful life experience.

All Eyes on Pisces: The Sea of Oneness, the Release Before New Beginnings

This is a potent eclipse, especially given the current national and global issues swirling about us in a sea of chaos. We have a strong combination of water and fire energies, thanks to a prominence of planets in PISCES and ARIES. This will create a great deal of passion—and passionate exchange—in relationships of all kinds, especially where concepts of freedom are concerned. This eclipse certainly plugs directly into the current sociopolitical climate in the United States, and will likely heighten discord…but also open channels for love and forgiveness in monumental ways. We’d do well to prepare ourselves for this eclipse, as personal and collective events could become quite turbulent as we make our way toward those pivotal points of forgiveness that are possible as we shift from fear and ego-entrapment to Love.

Pisces is a sign of release, transcendence, and great compassion, but it’s also a realm of the Zodiac that brings profound challenges related to endings before rebirth: struggles with addiction, loss/suffering, delusional perceptions, feelings of helplessness, “Victim”/”Savior” consciousness and patterns. With a stellium of planets in Pisces (a grouping of 3 or more planets grouped together) playing an important role in this eclipse, themes of loss, pain, and sacrifice could be prominent. The Sun and Moon are conjunct NEPTUNE, the dreamy/otherworldly ruling planet of Pisces, making wishful thinking, lofty goals, and/or disillusionment key themes.

MERCURY, the planet of The Mind, Communication, Travel, and Siblings, will be conjunct the SOUTH NODE in Pisces. We enter into a period where things may seem especially unclear, and concise communication may be hard to come by.

Possible manifestations of MERCURY conjunct the South Node in Pisces include:

A collective point of shedding delusional thinking, dishonest communication (not at all limited to “brainwashing” or whitewashing of facts in favor of a fantasy picture—seeing what we want to see, or deluding people into believing what we believe despite factual evidence), and unsavory patterns in the dissemination of information.

One could think of MERCURY as representing journalists, teachers, and other in the communication and intelligence professions; NEPTUNE is a planet that astrologers associate with the media in general; Pisces is a sign of illusions, scapegoats, suffering, and ultimately, transcendence. It’s not at all surprising, then, to see this aspect occurring during an eclipse at a time when American journalists are being vilified by government officials. The current administration’s pandering of “alternative facts,” and true or false accusations of “fake news” from any side of the political aisle, are front and center in the United States.

A washing away of old paradigms and perceptions—a complete cleansing of the lens through which we see the world as individuals and a global family—is ours if we choose to align with clear-seeing. Seeing through the eyes of compassion, searching for creative, love-inspired solutions, and using strategic planning skills to create better circumstances are keys to navigating these challenges successfully. Networking for LOVE and healing is the greatest possibility this aspect offers us.

Because clarity in thought, communication, and issues with discerning reality from fantasy could be difficult, intuition is one of our greatest allies. Get creative, embrace love, and move forward on what feels right (and adds up in a sensible way “on paper”).

These events will transpire to create a collective watershed, perhaps of heightened contrast, that propel us in the direction of VIRGO NORTH NODE themes: scrupulous analysis and dissemination of facts, using our capacity to organize data in a manner consistent with integrity, taking pragmatic action as we’re able as opposed to staying in “victim” consciousness.

The Aries Factor: Fight and Flight, and the Courage to Love Deeply

The fiery side of this eclipse, then, are the three planets currently in Aries. As VENUS passes through this sign, our expression in relationship takes on a brash nature: say what you mean, mean what you say, and out with you if you don’t (or infinitely more colorful language as you please). We’re likely to be more impulsive and thrill-seeking in our interactions—not to mention far more confrontational—and some could wind up with a literal or metaphorical scrape or three to show for it. The good news? Passions will run high, and the fires of determination will be burning in our bellies to pursue our desires with gusto.

But the most striking Aries activity happening at this eclipse is the conjunction of MARS/URANUS, happening opposite JUPITER In Libra. This is a zero-tolerance aspect that will bring out the freedom fighters, the seekers of truth, justice, and liberation, in full force…and there’s sure to be some volatile uprisings. Jupiter in Libra asks that we move in the direction of fairness and equality, but with the God of War and The Great Awakener pulling the rope across from it, the desire for equity is overblown and could easily reach a boiling point.

Though the intense Pisces/Aries themes at this eclipse will no doubt create intense personal/transpersonal turbulence, the opportunities for growth are enormous. Some of the most positive possibilities are:

Getting into the vibration of courage to stand up for those who are bullied, and/or those most in need

Having profound opportunities to approach tough interactions re: social and political themes while learning how to blend conviction with compassion; bold speaking with clear listening; making steps toward embodying Heaven on Earth through radical acts of love, even across seemingly impossible divides of lifestyle and opinions

Channeling a no-nonsense approach to achieving the next level of freedom in our lives

Having opportunities to recognize where we are living out Victim/Savior patterns that keep us living happier lives, and having a chance to blaze a trail to freedom

Finding the courage and fortitude to heal whatever is most in need of healing within our lives

Because this is a solar eclipse, it will set the tone for a whole new era based on these themes—an 18-year period in which we’ll be learning how to release delusions and codependency in favor of clear-seeing/thinking and personal productivity; shedding behaviors that cause self and others to suffer; of following our individual paths passionately, while learning how to respect others’ Divine Sovereignty to do the same.

North Node in Virgo: Bringing Balance Through Discernment and Pragmatic Actions

We’ll do well to remember that the VIRGO NORTH NODE is all about doing what you can, where you are, with what you have, one pragmatic move at a time. If you feel overwhelmed at this eclipse, allow yourself the time to process what’s coming to light on every level; cry the tears; be extra gentle with those who need love and support. If you stick with whatever your most sensible next step toward restoring purity, order, and wellness is in any given moment, you’re on the right track.

Key Points for Contemplation

Am I living out a cycle of suffering, poverty, or codependency that robs me of my joy? Am I giving to others from an empty cup? Am I allowing others to take advantage of my resources in ways that drain my vitality (Love, kindness, money, time, patience, etc.)?

Do I exercise discernment on every level while making important decisions—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually—or do I take others’ word at face-value without “checking in”? Am I clinging to deeply-held dogma that prevents me from clearly seeing “what is,” or from entertaining a new and possibly correct point of view?

Do I live out patterns of impulsivity that lead to disappointments and suffering, whether it’s through relationship disappointments, loss of resources, and so on?

Do I act from a place of anger and judgment more regularly than from a place of love, compassion, and intuitive knowing?

Where do I feel most called to break cycles of disillusionment, loss, addiction, codependency, or Victim/Savior patterns in my life? Am I willing to take steps toward transcending these issues with the help of those who can inspire and motivate me to keep moving forward with my healing?

Am I ready and willing to stand up for those being treated unfairly? Am I willing to tap into a sense of courage to speak truths, take right actions toward justice, and claim my Divine right to empowerment on behalf of myself and of others?

Am I willing to speak passionately, truthfully/articulately, yet diplomatically and compassionately, with those I encounter who hold different views? Am I willing to look beyond the veil of illusions to see the Oneness in all beings?

Am I willing to hold space for those who carry beliefs I do not agree with, or for those who commit atrocities, remembering that when I do, I assist in the creation of an energetic “world climate” in which healing for the greater good can unfold (note: this is not the same as approving of actions we feel are immoral—it is simply the act of seeing beings as Soul first, and moving into a place of recognition, perhaps that they are also moving toward unlocking their own awareness and capacity for Love and Compassion on their Soul’s own timeline. When we come back to this point of awareness, we free ourselves from excess consternation, and add our “energetic pennies” to the pot of the world we want to create instead—one of Love, Light, Joy, and Freedom for all beings)

The Silver Lining

Though this eclipse will undeniably bring challenges, it belongs to the Saros Series 19 South family of eclipses. In her book Predictive Astrology, eclipse expert Bernadette Brady gives the overarching tone of this eclipse series:

“This is a family of eclipses that brings with it the element of the pleasant surprise. Sudden happiness, a joyful event, the lucky break, the big win. The events which will be occurring can be believed and can positively change the person’s life.”​No matter how this eclipse’s energies manifest in the collective, we might be able to find some hope in this assessment. We could interpret this as reassurance that no matter what transpires, it’s all for the greater good in the end. And at the end of the day, this is the role that eclipses play—to move us forward so we can experience greater joy, personal sovereignty, and fulfillment. Trust what unfolds, follow your intuition, and lead with love and passion.

​How will this winter's eclipses season impact your life? Consider booking a special eclipse session to find out! Bright Star is offering an ECLIPSE SPECIAL on all astrology readings through March 1.Email jhowell1221@gmail.com for more information, or to schedule your session today.

February is a power-packed month, with the first two eclipses of the year occurring in Leo and Pisces. The Lunar Eclipse at 22° Leo kicks it off with some serious panache on February 10 at 8:44 PM EST.

Because this is a penumbral eclipse, it could be said that its effects won't be as potent as that of a total eclipse (though an eclipse is an eclipse, and plenty potent just the same!). This eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, and in many parts of North America and Asia.

​If your birthday is between August 10-14, this could be a life-changing year for you! This also applies to people with Rising Sign/Midheaven/Nadir, planets, or the Nodes from 20°-24° of Leo. If you have planets/personal points at those same degrees in any other fixed sign (Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus), you'll be impacted as well.​Lunar Eclipses

When a full moon occurs within 12° of the nodes, it’s classified as an eclipse. The Earth stands between the Sun and the Moon—two celestial bodies always dancing in tandem with one another to create the moon cycles—temporarily halting the energy flow between the two. This cosmic “reset” results in make-or-break moments in relationships of all kinds: between us and another person, a job or other life circumstance, and so on. These moments bring about situations in which we must confront reality, and sometimes, what we see is upsetting. But all eclipses provide us with opportunities to make pivotal life changes--we have a penultimate chance get clear on what doesn’t serve us anymore, or by experiencing once in a lifetime chances that seem to be the stuff of destiny.

On the whole, lunar eclipses are more emotionally-charged than solar eclipses, and center on emotions stemming from relationships: potent beginnings or endings. Think of lunar eclipses are full moons on steroids, and you’re on the right track!

Lunar Eclipse in Leo: Express, Create, Tap Into Joy!

Though eclipses can bring major challenges, the overall tone of the Leo Lunar Eclipse is joyful and expansive—rejoice! All eyes are on this eclipse’s potential to bring penultimate events in the way of:· Children· Creative self-expression· Being in the spotlight · Confidence/pride· Nurturing the Inner Child· Joy

Because this is a lunar eclipse, endings that clear the way to experience the best parts of what the above themes can offer us could manifest. For others, a big realization (surprise, surprise—we’re pregnant!) or opportunity to express ourselves and step out center-stage are also on the table. For some, a pregnancy would be joyful, life-changing news; for others, it’s possible that an unplanned pregnancy, or other disruptive scenario with children, could herald the beginning of the end of ill-fated relationships.

This is not the time to be a wallflower—it’s a chance to shine out, or be thrust out, to show the world what we’ve got.

This is not a particularly stressful eclipse, per se, but that which is not aligned with our joy and heart’s desires could begin to fall away. These realizations or events may harken back to childhood experiences in which the joy of being a kid was not honored, or where our individuality or creations were shunned/belittled/suppressed. This eclipse could illuminate what we need to release in order to experience happiness and express ourselves with pride.

This eclipse will bring some high-vibing, feel-good chances for us to express our creative potential in every way. Time spent with children can open our hearts in a big way, reminding us of our need as beings to play, to create, to be for the sake of fulfillment and pleasure…and when we follow those pleasures, all forms of success and abundance are sure to follow.

​Key Planetary Players

With an exact sextile between the MOON in Leo and JUPITER in Libra, incredible opportunities for creative collaborations in the arts, as well as any form of diplomacy, are sure to present themselves. We’ll be thinking BIG, and will likely have plenty of confidence to strut our stuff. Feeling optimistic about the future (maybe even having a tendency to overextend ourselves) is likely, and we get a big boost from other major planetary players to make good on our ideas.

The MOON forms a solid, innovative trine to SATURN in Sagittarius and URANUS in Aries, bringing monumental change well within our grasp. We have forward-thinking yet pragmatic, resolved cosmic energies at our back to turn aspirations into results. If you’ve been contemplating putting your skills out there as a new business venture, or are an aspiring artist of any kind that’s feeling the urge to take a leap of faith toward success, the Universe has your back.

Another major influence during this eclipse is MERCURY in Aquarius forming a sextile to VENUS in bold Aries. It’s time to radically alter your thinking and get brave in relationships, money, and personal values. If you’re feeling stifled, now’s the time to begin to let go of what holds you back. Change your mind and paradigms, adjusting to new frequencies and “cosmic downloads” that come in these powerful moments. When you do, you’ll have more courage to alter relationships that aren’t serving you, or to make a gutsy move toward artistic endeavors…and perhaps moving into a period where you can begin making more money doing them!

Though trines are usually thought of as positive aspects in astrology, it’s wise to temper that viewpoint with an understanding that trines open the door so energy can flow straight through, unimpeded by our inner blocks or external events that could get in the way. If you find yourself in a tough position in the days before and after this eclipse, trust that the Universe really is blowing incredible winds of change in your direction, even if you don’t see it yet. We’re working on the themes that one eclipse cycle brings for the next six months (or 18 years if we zoom out to larger eras), so trust that you’ll reap the rewards of events/realizations you’re now having as time goes on.

We’ll all have the chance to shine out at this eclipse as we’re called to live large and let love radiate out into the world. Know that you are the sole creator of your reality, and that by following your greatest passions and getting into the essence of Love and Joy, the Universe will pave your way with more bliss than you could possibly have imagined.

Key Points for Contemplation

​​What opportunities are presenting themselves for me to clear old patterns related to love and appreciation, including self-love and appreciation?

​Am I in relationships that make me feel happy, whole, and spark a sense of joy within me?

​Where am I being asked to let go of a relationship, belief, or other situation that stifles my happiness? My expression? My ability to ability to share love more openly?

​Am I willing to embrace truths that are presenting themselves now--truths about a person, situation, or my own beliefs/patterns that prevent me from living a happier life? Am I willing to move into a place of clear-seeing, acceptance, and taking action to release that which no longer serves me?

​Are opportunities for partnerships emerging that can open up new possibilities in every part of life? Am I willing to work across divides for a shared purpose when it benefits all people involved?

​Am I willing to take a chance to set off on a new course for using my God(dess)-given creativity that is my Divine Right, that will benefit All?

​Am I willing to act on an opportunity to experience greater stability through a career change--a change that will require perseverance, but will allow me to radically alter my life circumstances for the better? Am I willing to build something new and adventurous to enjoy more freedom, happiness, and open flow of Divine Creative Energies?

​Am I willing to speak my truths and boldly align with my heart's desires? Am I willing to embrace the courage to live authentically and give birth to new dreams?

​How will this winter's eclipses season impact your life? Consider booking a special eclipse session to find out! Bright Star is offering an ECLIPSE SPECIAL on all astrology readings through March 1.Email jhowell1221@gmail.com for more information, or to schedule your session today.

Right on the heels of Mercury stationing direct is tomorrow's Full Moon in Cancer at 22 degrees. With the Winged Messenger just beginning to pick up speed again and the lunar energies on the verge of bursting open, this is an intense time, to be sure. All planets are in direct motion until early February, and the cosmos is pushing us full speed ahead. But in the midst of all the swirl and chaos, we'd do well to carve out time for TLC and retreat at this full moon.

​The full moon is exact at 6:33 a.m. Eastern tomorrow. Those who have personal planets from 20-24 degrees of Cancer and Capricorn, as well as the other cardinal signs of Libra and Aries, will experience the effects of this full moon the most directly.

Cardinal Grand Cross: The Pull in All Directions

​​Feeling overwhelmed, torn, or stretched almost beyond your capacity? Take heart--we're all under a good amount of astrological stress at the moment. This week's potent Cardinal Grand Cross pulls from four distinct corners of our lives and psyche. These are challenging configurations to navigate, but ultimately, they bring our awareness to embodying more balance between seemingly contradictory parts of life, or conflicting feelings and desires. And when grand crosses occur in Cardinal signs, it's all about action and initiative.

​The Cancer Moon is full of emotion--the Cosmic Mother, always warm and overflowing with love, warmth, nostalgia, the desire to crawl inside the proverbial shell and feel. Sensitivities run high when the Moon passes through her home sign, and when she's filled to the brim as she is now, those feelings reach a tipping point. We find ourselves wanting to retreat, seeking comfort in secluded spaces and feeling the desire to spend time with those we feel the most comfortable around. Memories resurface (possibly rooted in childhood and nurturance) and our imaginations run wild.

​But the Grand Cross is putting a lot of pressure on that desire for safety and the urge to hide from all that threatens our sensitivities. We're called to balance the Capricorn Sun's "all work/no play" tendencies and emotional austerity at this time, to be sure, but we've got JUPITER and URANUS calling us to radical new action in ways that will feel anything but comfortable. The Jupiter-Uranus Opposition is calling us to break free from relationship limitations and adopt more realistic perceptions in this part of life over the next year, beckoning us to leap beyond our comfort zone so we can experience a new level of fulfillment in the one-on-one. This also applies to negotiations of any kind, as well as endeavors in the arts or other intellectual pursuits.

​Another factor adding is the Goddess asteroid ERIS, who's been joined up with URANUS in ARIES since 2015. Eris is associated with discord, societal moves forward, and feminine issues. She's stirring the pot at this full moon something fierce--look no further than the current political atmosphere, or than intense issues coming to a head in your own life, to see her potent influence at work.Meryl Streep's speech from the Golden Globes this week is a shining example--a woman unapologetically taking to task those who would use positions of power to denegrate others. This is a disruptive, take-no-bull asteroid that won't be playing nice anytime soon (and rightfully so!).

​As Jupiter and Uranus/Eris square the ultra-sensitive Cancer Moon, we'll be experiencing restlessness and exaggerated emotions. Reaching out to other(s) and doing something totally radical--"radical" relative to our norms--for the sake of harmony, and perhaps of moving toward our goals, will bring challenges that could pay major dividends down the road. For many, these moves could be related to romantic relationships, but the exact themes we experience now depends on the location of these planets in the personal birth chart. Bridging gaps in understanding, but not tolerating abuse or boundary crashing, is something we all have the chance to move toward in potentially life-changing ways.

​Key Questions for Contemplation

​Do you honor your feelings, taking time out to feel that which is working its way to the surface within you? Are you willing to sit with these emotions, no matter how uncomfortable, to let the flow of tears aid in your release and healing?

Are you willing to let your imagine wander, perhaps using creative self-expression guide you in understanding current challenges more fully?

Do you honor and acknowledge your Inner Child? Do you give this sacred part of your being the opportunity to express itself, holding it in all its love, vulnerabilities, and past woundings? Are you willing to gently nurture him/her, seeking external guidance for assistance with healing past wounds if needed?

Are you avoiding addressing an important situation, running from situations in a way that might not serve you in the end (avoidance patterns)? Can you commit to loving yourself enough to take action that brings about an even better outcome long-term?

Do you feel the call to stretch your emotional capacity--while remembering to honor personal boundaries and give only from a full cup--that will grow your soul? Will you heed the call of radical forgiveness and space-holding for others as required, embodying a willingness to set healthy boundaries while resolving situations appropriately?

Can you find it within you to say "no" to relationship ties or other commitments that strain you and drain your vitality? Are you willing to break free from bonds that hold you back?

Are you willing to connect to the energies of the Divine Feminine at this time, allowing Goddess wisdom to guide you as you explore your rich inner world?

How can you create a sanctuary space to retreat from the world and emotionally recharge?

​Regardless of current challenges and responsibilities, we can honor our Whole Selves this week by making time to connect with our Inner Sanctuary. Spend some extra time cozied up at home, doing whatever makes you feel soothed and nurtured: comfort foods, pajamas, warm blankets, etc. Cuddle up, and wear your heart on your sleeve when it matters most--the Cosmos has your back.

It's been a confusing time in the wake of Tuesday's Sagittarius New Moon, especially for people with personal planets and sensitive points around 7 degrees of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces.

This point of new beginnings was a tough one--squaring the nodes and NEPTUNE, with a conjuntion to the partnership asteroid JUNO and other hard aspects involved. Feeling pulled in a few directions at once and not quite sure of where to turn next? It's in the air--or being triggered within us, rather--and this marks a pivotal moment for us all in some way.

​We've arrived at a crossroads, a major jumping off point, whether we feel ready or not. In my mind, there were two main factors dominating this new moon: relationships, and what direction to turn next in order to walk the most promising path with the greatest potential for healing.

NEW MOON BREAKDOWN

​JUNO's Short-Term Role, and JUPITER IN LIBRA: Challenges & Expansion in the 1-1

​Juno and Jupiter both play major roles this week: Juno as the asteroid joined with the Sun and Moon at this lunation, and Jupiter in relationship-oriented LIBRA ruling the new moon itself. Demetra George writes that JUNO is associated with redefining partnerships to meet our evolving needs societally and individually: think life partners sans wedding vows, gay marriage, and so on. And Jupiter in Libra squaring Pluto in Capricorn through 2017 is bringing great growth opportunities in relationships. We're already seeing scenarios unfolding in which we'll find ourselves sorting through depeer issues that get in the way of experiencing fulfillment with right others.

​VENUS was also squaring URANUS at the new moon: radical shakeups in romance and friendships, not to mention revolutionary new chances to make a break by jumping into something new (and probably unexpected).

​SAGITTARIUS New Moons call us toward attaining a new kind of freedom, expansion, and positivity; toward whatever possibilities lie just over the horizon; to embracing a new kind of self-confidence and belief that when we take aim at the things we desire, we can achieve greater things that we could ever have imagined. But this week hasn't been all roses and cheer--we've had to walk fine lines between far-flung fantasies and longings, and what the most rational next steps are to take, all the while holding fast to the flames of inspiration that burn within. Blending the best of all worlds re: compassion rather than martyrdom, action over unproductive wishing, and dreaming and aiming big.​ALCHEMY is a powerful word for the week: our innate ability to work the magic of transforming ourselves from the inside out, the transformation that is born of our conscious connection to the Divine Flame of Creation always burning within us. Connecting with Merlin energies, or the Fire Elementals (Dragons and Salamanders) through meditation or candle magic can yield powerful results.

​CHIRON STATION DIRECT: Let the Healing Begin

​Chiron stationing direct in PISCES today intensifies the innate feeling of pull and juxtaposition, bringing that which is most in need of healing now to our conscious awareness. Unsurprisingly, much of the feelings of loss, grief, or sadness we're likely to experience now could center on relationships with the current astrological climate as it is. I've found myself feeling drawn to soul family members who I haven't spoken to in years, experiencing a kind of psychic hypersensitivity to the feelings of those around me (and afar). Joining with our "tribe," whoever those people might be, could be rewarding or painful now...or an odd mix of both. This station is about acknowledging what feels the most broken within us rather than burying it or remaining complacent with current suffering; of letting go of the things we cannot control; of moving forward with healing on all levels of the self.

No matter what emerges now, rest assured that profound healing experiences are possible if we're willing to move out of our comfort zone and onto the path that feels even oh-so-slightly better in each moment.

​Forming partnerships with those who can assist you in this sacred work is greatly supported now, perhaps even heralding a new beginning in a 2.5-year cycle related to the Sagittarius New Moon. Who can hold space for you in gentleness and love as you sort through the parts of yourself that feel the most unloved or unworthy? How can you reach out to help others scale new heights and embrace new truths that bring liberation through big-picture awareness? Is there physical healing to be done that requires you to seek help from a professional? Healing from addictions, any kind of dependency, or leaving escapist tendencies behind in favor of pragmatic action and a newly rekindled sense of optimism are also supported.

Treat yourself with tenderness and care, simply being present with what hurts the most. Sit with confusion--allow yourself to explore the way forward that might serve you best. And when you're ready, form (or heal) the alliances that will be of greatest benefit as you make even the smallest steps toward a more fulfilling life.

We stand at the threshold of Samhain--a time when the ancients believed that the veil between this world and others was at its thinnest. This liminal period, a cross-quarter point in the turning of the Wheel of the Year, is a powerful moment of shifts as we let the old pass away and prepare to move into the belly of winter.

​This afternoon's Scorpio New Moon energy is sure to play a pivotal role this Samhain. It's an especially complex new moon (would we expect anything less from Scorpio?), packing a real power-punch for letting the old die away and birthing a powerful new beginning into being.

The new moon occurs at 7 degrees of Scorpio at 12:37 p.m. Those with personal planets around 5-11 degrees of Scorpio and Taurus will be especially impacted by this lunation. ​There's Magic in the Air...

There's an especially surreal and inspired feeling in the air, with the Sun, Moon, and Mercury forming a trine to Neptune. Our minds will be wide open, ready to receive otherworldly messages or creative inspiration easily. We can tap into something deep and ancient that expands far beyond ourselves to weave the webs of our choosing, whether it's through artistic endeavors or another important project (I have a number of friends attending a writing workshop today, and I'll be busy hosting a drum circle!).

It's a wonderful day for crawling into the metaphorical wombspace to dream, receive intuitive guidance or messages from guides/ancestors who dwell in the other realms, or experience regeneration through time spent alone. Deep thoughts are likely to dominate the day--pondering the mysteries of life and death, sexuality or "taboo" desires, the paranormal and unexplained.

​Spider medicine can prove to be especially powerful now. These creatures were thought to be the original keepers of language in some Native American tribes, weaving the alphabet, or even the world itself, into being. For as solitary as Scorpio Moon times are, we can connect with right others in profound ways today to experience a heightened spiritual experience, along with the bright ideas and creative expansion that can come from receiving feedback from outside of ourselves.

​Connecting with spider can help us use our talents by intricately connecting the threads of our desires, words, and actions together to create a strong, beautifully-manifested end result. Tell your stories, weave your webs, and play in the mysterious waters of Creation!

Venus-Saturn Conjunction: A New Yearly Cycle in Love and Money Begins

Venus and Saturn joined together in Sagittarius yesterday, kicking off a new yearly cycle in love, money, and manifestation in general. Finding faith in ourselves and following through on bigger visions can yield tremendous results now. The fertile, passionate energies of the new moon are infused with the energy of making a big dream come to life, one dedicated step at a time. This can also be a powerful time for new romance, since Venus is the planet of partnership, and Saturn's energies center on commitments and maturity. Financial matters are also supported--keeping the big picture in mind for the next year can go a long way toward helping us make smart decisions to grow our wealth through endeavors that we're most passionate about.

​Samhain themes and activity ideas:

​​Have a bonfire to honor ancestors, or loved ones who have passed this year. You can toss Samhain herbs into the fire, such as bay leaves, rosemary, sage, or any other herb that has special meaning to you. Drumming, dancing, and all artistic endeavors will be extra powerful this year.

Reflect on the experiences of the past year and Mother Earth's gifts of the harvest, feeling gratitude for the blessings of abundance or lessons you've learned.

In the Celtic traditions, Samhain is considered the witch's new year--perfectly synced up with this year's new moon! You may want to resolve to release an old habit, or dissolve negativity or otherwise limiting circumstances in your life as you manifest a new beginning.

Writing what you want release on paper or bay leaves--or writing NEW MOON INTENTIONS down--and tossing them into fire is a powerful way to transmute energy and hand issues over to Source.

Meditate, get an energetic healing session, do a card reading--anything that helps to connect you with wisdom and guidance from beyond, and allows your body to access its innate healing potential more fully.

Take a walk in the woods to soak in the magic of the season (birds and animals are always acting as messengers, and this Samhain could hold especially powerful messages from our animal friends)

How will you dance with the rich and wonderful energies of the day? The time is right to explore what lies just below the surface of your conscious awareness. Be mindful of the messages you receive--we're all tuned into Universal Wisdom much more clearly now. ​

Tonight's New Moon at 8 degrees of Libra, which is exact at 8:12 PM EDT, marks the official end of eclipse season. We leave behind September's energies of intense flux, reconfiguration, and deep healing as we cross the threshold into new beginnings. Although we might not feel like we're entirely on solid ground yet, we're entering into a period where we can start to make good on the lessons we've learned and information that's come to light during the past month.

Those most affected by this lunation will be people with planets or sensitive points in the birth chart from 6-10 degrees of Libra, Capricorn, Cancer, and Aries (Cardinal signs).

Black Moon: What Is It, and What Does It Mean In Astrology?

Black Moons have played an important role in folklore throughout the centuries, but don't figure much into astrological predictive work. A Black Moon occurs when there are two moons during the same calendar month, just as Blue Moons happen when two full moons occur in a month. Although symbolic meaning can be gleaned from almost anything, Western Astrology is centered on the angles that planets form to one another at the time of a lunation, among other calculable information.

​Though the Black Moon status may not mean much astrologically, it is indeed a very special new moon for at least one other reason besides bringing eclipse season to a close: Jupiter's incredibly beneficial involvement is bringing waves of abundance to set the stage for some truly lovely new beginnings!

​Jupiter's Cosmic Kiss: A Promise of New Abundance and Blissful Balance

Jupiter moved into Libra on September 9th, shifting the underlying focus from health, wellness, and all things related to housekeeping to relationships, balance, and beauty. We're about to get a major boost in synchronicities that line us up with the right people at the right time--when Jupiter's involved, good things tend to fall from the sky and land right into our laps.

​Steven Forrest calls Jupiter the Cosmic Santa Claus--very appropriate for the planet associated with words like luck, bliss, and magic. It always points us toward the area of personal growth that feels good in any given moment, and this transit will help draw our attention to where and how we'd like to create more balance in our lives.

​This new moon kicks off the loveliest potentials of Jupiter in Libra in a big way! It just so happens that Jupiter is conjunct the Libran Sun and Moon as we speak--it doesn't get much better than that. Today's lunation carries the blissful kiss of incredible things to come, especially as it pertains to:

​Relationships

Business networking/partnerships, and any alliances that can help you achieve your goals

Negotiations that lead to fair compromises

The arts/beautification of living spaces

Achieving new levels of harmony and balance in all parts of life

Though Jupiter doesn't guarantee success, it does bring in cosmic energies that open doors to new opportunities if we choose to make the most of them. Be ACTIVE, not PASSIVE when big breaks come your way, especially from 24 hours after the new moon through the days leading up to the Aries Full Moon on October 15th/16th.

​Depth Connections, Mystery, and (Com)Passion

​Venus, the ruler of this new moon, moved into Scorpio on September 23. If you've had intense encounters since then re: intimacy, private or taboo information coming to light, or painful shadow material emerging within yourself, this transit is one likely reason. And to top it off, Pluto--Scorpio's modern ruler--stationed direct on September 26. It's been a big week for dealing with darkness or going into deeper psychological, emotional, or sexual territory, and ultimately, of moving forward in the most empowering of ways. Be open to where and when it's most beneficial to merge with others now, trusting instincts on when to dive deeper and when to let old connections go.

​Venus forms an exact trine to otherworldly Neptune today, bringing an incredible amount of creative potential and flow that is deep, mysterious, and just plain feels good. Allow compassion reign in your interactions while honoring personal boundaries. Let the love in--explore the depths of your desires and that which is asking to be born through you in any artistic form. Gather with partners, friends, or family to explore what lies just below the surface of conscious awareness for sacred spiritual communion. The potential for epiphanies via meditation and other psychic/intuitive work are incredibly strong, being gracefully woven into this new moon's potential.

​Mercury opposite Chiron: Healing Mind, Body, and Spirit

​As Mercury retraces its retrograde steps in direct motion, it triggers the healing potential of Chiron in an opposition one last time. Did you hit a snag with details, work, or routine this week that threw you for a loop? If so, it might have triggered deeper insecurities that were ready to be revisited and approached in a whole new way. With Mercury still in Virgo, productive, attentive, and consistent action is the key to success. Holistic healing is also well-supported now--be willing to explore new methods for healing mind, body, and spirit that can help you experience a reintegrated sense of self.

​What seeds will you be planting at this new moon? May love, grace, abundance, and joy be yours as we move toward new horizons!